A plane landed at Kansai International Airport. Ma Xiaoling pulled her suitcase out of the passageway, looked up, and saw Jiang Hao smiling at her. She smiled back.
"Half a month apart. Want a hug?" Jiang Hao said with a grin, opening his arms and receiving an eye-roll from Ma Xiaoling.
Just then, a middle-aged man stepped forward. "Excuse me, are you Miss Ma Xiaoling?"
"That's me," Ma Xiaoling replied.
"I'm Akiyama from the Toho Group. I'm responsible for picking you up. President Tezuka is waiting for you at home." The man bowed respectfully as he spoke and reached for Ma Xiaoling's suitcase.
"Then let's go." Ma Xiaoling handed him the suitcase.
"And this gentleman is?" the man asked, looking at Jiang Hao.
"My assistant. He came to Japan early to wait for me." Ma Xiaoling lifted her chin toward Jiang Hao and said smugly.
Jiang Hao smiled, immediately lowered his posture slightly, and looked at Ma Xiaoling. "Yes, boss. I've already booked the hot springs and spa treatment you requested."
Ma Xiaoling burst into a smile at his teasing and lightly punched his arm.
"Let's go. This time, I'm afraid we'll need a master like you to take a look. I don't know anything about the internet," Ma Xiaoling said.
The two got into the car. After more than forty minutes, they arrived in downtown Osaka. The car drove into an estate. As he got out, Jiang Hao glanced around. The courtyard had a distinctly traditional Japanese style and clearly had some history behind it.
"This way, please. My boss is inside," Akiyama invited.
When they reached the villa entrance, Jiang Hao and Ma Xiaoling saw an acquaintance: Master Peacock, dressed in monk's robes and leaning on a Buddhist staff. Seeing them approach, he made a Buddhist greeting.
"Mr.